Receptacle support and closure operator



Se t. 28, 1965 c. CLARK 3,208,706

RECEPTACLE SUPPORT AND CLOSURE OPERATOR Filed Oct. 1, 1963 INVENTOR CLARE L. CLARK ATTORNEYS /nzywn Z Md/m United States Patent 0 3,208,706 RECEPTACLE SUPPORT AND CLOSURE OPERATOR Clare L. Clark, Absarokee, Mont., assignor to Jack Kogalshak, Hardin, Mont., and Jack Kohl, Absarokee, Mont.

Filed Oct. 1, 1963, Ser. No. 313,057 6 Claims. (Cl. 248-147) The invention relates generally to a receptacle support and closure operator and more particularly to an improved support for a refuse disposal receptacle having a foot operated mechanism for opening the closure and means for positively returning the closure to the closed position.

Several known arrangements have been devised for refuse disposal receptacles, such as garbage containers, wherein there is provided a supporting stand and closure or cover operator so that the closure may be raised and provided with a lateral movement to allow the operator to have his hands free for the purpose of dumping refuse into the receptacle. These arrangements generally provide for a vertically and rotatably movable rod connected to a supporting frame, with the closure of the receptacle being carried by the rod. A lever engaging the rod causes the rod to lift off the refuse receptacle and then swing in a horizontal plane to one side to open the receptacle.

These arrangements, although providing the desired access to the receptacle, are objectionable due to the fact that they normally require an elaborate camming mechanism, which is economically undesirable for the type of structure involved. In addition, the camming mechanism often includes cooperating pin members which are subject to rapid wear and breakage, thus limiting the useful life of the mechanism.

Due to the fact that refuse receptacles are often stored outdoors, a need has arisen for a support and closure operator for a refuse receptacle which is not subject to accidental upsetting or opening due to high winds or due to animals attempting to gain access to the contents.

Accordingly, there is provided an improved refuse disposal receptacle support and closure operator which is extremely simple, durable, economical in construction and efficient in operation and which overcomes the disadvantages of prior art arrangements.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved refuse disposal receptacle support and closure operator for refuse disposal receptacles such as, for example, garbage containers, wherein there is provided a foot-operated device for opening the closure of the receptacle whenever it is desired to deposit refuse into the receptacle and power-operated means for positively returning the closure to the closed position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved support and closure operating means wherein the closure is positively held on the receptacle.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved foot-operated device for opening the closure of a refuse disposal receptacle, which device is readily adjustable for use with refuse receptacles of different sizes.

In carrying out the invention, in one form thereof, there is provided a supporting body or frame for a refuse disposal receptacle. A closure operator having a vertical standard, which is supported for rectilinear and rotational movement relative to its support, is arranged to be operated at one end of a foot-operated pivoted lever to give a predetermined amount of movement to the closure. The lower end of the standard is slidably arranged within a cylindrical support having a depression therein and is provided with a twisted member integral therewith which 3,208,706 Patented Sept. 28, 1965 coacts with the depression to impart rotary motion to the standard as it is raised. The receptacle closure, which is connected to the opposite end of the standard, is thereby swung clear of the receptacle so as to permit the receptacle to be readily available for dumping of refuse therein. Within the cylindrical support and coiled around the vertical standard, there is provided a compression spring which serves to return the closure member to its closed position after the foot-operated lever is released. Upon release, the standard is swung laterally into position over the receptace, and then axially downwardly to effect the closing of the receptacle.

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarding the invention, it is believed the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the structure embodying the present invention showing a receptacle and closure in position upon the support;

FIGURE 2 is a view, partly in cross-section, of the closure operator including the foot-operated lever, standard and cylindrical support; and

FIGURE 3 is a view, partly in cross-section, taken along line 33 of FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the numeral 10 designates a supporting body or frame consisting of a plurality of metal cross straps 11 arranged to provide a base upon which the receptacle is supported. In the preferred embodiment, the base is triangular in shape and formed of three straps 11, however, it should be readily apparent that other shapes may equally well be utilized.

At each corner of the triangular base, there is an upstanding leg member 1214, which may be secured in position by welding or any other suitable means. The lower end of each leg 12-14 is provided with a right angle extension 15 which forms a foot for supporting the stand 10 on a horizontal surface. Each right angle portion is provided with an aperture 16 which allows for the stand to be firmly secured in place. For example, if the stand 10 is placed on a platform (not shown), the stand may be bolted down to the platform or, alternatively, if the stand is placed on the ground, it may be conveniently staked to the ground whereby the receptacle will be effectively held in a desired position and prevented from being accidentally upset. The upper end of two of the leg members 12 and 13, have formed integral therewith, a pair of curved lip portions 17 and 18 which together with brace 19 form a three point support for the body of the receptacle 20. The three point support serves to maintain the receptacle 20 firmly in an upstanding position upon the frame 10.

If desired, the lip portions 17 and 18 may be bent sufficientiy to place them in frictional engagement with the sides of the receptacle 20 while the base 21 is supported directly on the cross straps 11 of the stand 10. It should be readily apparent, that when using other configurations having more than three legs, the opening within the straps 11 should be small enough to prevent the base 21 of the receptacle 20 from passing therethrough.

As is well known, refuse receptacles, such as garbage containers are frequently stored outdoors and provided with closures to prevent animals from gaining access to the contents therein. For maintaining such closures positively closed, while permitting access to the receptacle by one desirous of depositing refuse therein, there is provided a closure operator 22, shown in detail in FIG. 2, connected to the closure of cover 23 and arranged to cause movement of the closure 23 in a vertical and lateral direction.

To this end, closure operator 22 is foot-operated and supported in a vertical position adjacent frame through brace 19 which has one end secured to a hollow cylindrical tube 24 and its other end secured to a horizontal extension or arm 25, which is in turn secured at one end to leg 14 of stand 10. Brace 19 also serves to properly position the foot-operated device 22 so that the closure 23 is properly centered upon the body of the receptacle when in its closed position.

For providing vertical and lateral movement to the closure 23, there is provided a vertical standard or rod 26 which extends into the cylindrical tube 24 through a suitable opening 27 in the upper end. A twisted strap member 28 is adjustably positioned on rod 26 and supports the closure 23 by means of screws 29 or other suitable fastening means in a manner well known in the art. For adjusting the position of strap 28 along the rod 26, there is affixed, at one end, a cylindrical collar 30 through which the rod 26 passes. Collar 30 is provided with a threaded aperture 31 adapted to receive turn-screw 32 which fastens the strap 28 to the rod 26. The strap 28 may thus be affixed to the rod 26 at various positions along its length to allow for receptacles of varying heights. Initial adjustment for a receptacle of predetermined dimensions is achieved by securing strap 25 on leg 14 at a position based on an approximation of the dimensions of the receptacle to be used. Strap 28 is then accurately positioned along rod 26 so that the closure 23 is positioned properly over the receptacle.

The other end of rod 26 which fits within the cylindrical tube 24 has integral therewith a strap member 33 which is twisted intermediate its ends as at 34. Cylindrical tube 24 has, intermediate its ends, a suitable depression or crimp 35 which may be provided by crimping the tube 24. Depression 35 cooperates with the twist 34, as shown in FIG. 2, to cause rod 26 to rotate as the rod is raised which in turn swings the closure 23 laterally so as to permit access into the receptacle.

For positively returning the closure 23 to its closed position on the receptacle 20, there is provided a compression spring 36 which is coiled about rod 26 Within the cylindrical tube 24. Spring 36 is supported at one end on the shoulders 37 of the strap member 33, while the other end of spring 36 bears against a press cap 38 fitted to one end of the cylindrical tube 24. A similar press cap 39, having opening 40 closes off the other end of cylindrical tube 24.

Extending through opening 40 into the cylindrical tube 24 is a rod 41. Integral therewith and within the tube 24 is a flat, circular head member or piston 42 which bears against the lower end of strap member 33. The other end of rod 41 is connected to one end of a footoperated lever or treadle 43 in any suitable manner. One manner of connection is to provide an aperture 44 in the treadle 43 and a bend 45 in rod 41 which extends therethrough. Rod 41 may be prevented from slipping out of the aperture 44 by means of a cotter pin (not shown).

Treadle 43 is fulcrumed about a point on the arm 25 by means of a pin or bolt 46 which extends through aperture 47. The treadle 43 extends toward the front of the stand 10 in a convenient position to be reached by the foot of the person operating the closure opener.

In operation, the receptacle 20 is maintained closed by the force of spring 36 acting on strap member 33. The foot portion 48 of the treadle is pushed downwardly with a sufficient force to overcome the force of spring 36, thus causing upward movement of rod 41 and piston 42. Piston 42 engages the strap member 33 and pushes it upwardly causing closure 23 to be raised oil. the receptacle 20. As the twisted portion 34 of strap 35 engages the inwardly extending crimped portion or depression 35, as shown in FIG. 2, of tube 24, the closure 23, in addition to the vertical displacement, is given a lateral displacement as a result of the turning action of the twist to clear the opening of the receptacle and permit dumping of refuse therein. After the pressure exerted on the foot portion of the treadle is released, the closure is caused to reverse its direction of movement under the force of the compression spring 36 which also serves to exert sufiicient force on the closure to maintain it positively closed.

Although a particular embodiment of the subject invention has been described, many modifications may be made, and it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination of a receptacle support and a closure operator comprising a frame arranged to receive the base of the receptacle, a plurality of legs connected with and supporting said frame, a vertically disposed cylindrical member supported adjacent said frame, a closure for the receptacle, a standard extending within said cylindrical member having inwardly extending projections intermediate its ends, means for aflixing said closure to one end of said standard, a strap member integral with the other end of said standard having a twisted portion arranged for cooperation with the inwardly extending projections, said standard being disposed for movement relative to said cylindrical support, a compression spring coiled about said standard and arranged to be supported within said cylindrical member for positively seating said closure on the receptacle, rod means extending within said cylindrical member for engagement with said strap member, means forming a fixed fulcrum below said frame, and a treadle pivotally attached intermediate its ends to said fulcrum and having one end connected to said rod means to cause said rod means to engage said strap member and move said strap member upwardly upon actuation of said treadle against the force of said compression spring to cause said closure to be lifted and displaced laterally from the receptacle.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for affixing the closure to one end of the standard includes a strap member secured to the closure at one end, a collar integral with said strap member at the other end, said collar being arranged to be selectively positioned along said standard, and means for securing said collar to said standard.

3. The combination set forth in claim 1 further including a brace secured at one end to said cylindrical member for supporting said cylindrical member adjacent said frame and secured at the other end to said means forming a fixed fulcrum, and at least two of said legs supporting the frame having at their upper ends curved lip portions, said curved lip portions and said brace forming a three pomt support for said receptacle.

4. The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein each of said legs are provided with a right angle extension for supporting the frame on a horizontal surface, each right angle extension having an aperture therein, and means extending through said apertures for securing said frame to the horizontal surface.

5. A closure operator comprising, a cylindrical tube having inwardly extending projections intermediate its ends, a standard partially extending within said tube at one end arranged for movement relative to said tube, a strap member having a twisted portion within said tube and integrally connected to said standard at said one end, sa d twisted portion being arranged for cooperation with sa d inwardly extending projections, spring means within said tube and coiled around said standard, said spring means being arranged to urge said strap member in a first direction, means for aflixing a closure to said standard, and a treadle arranged to be operatively coupled to sand strap member for overcoming the force of said compression spring to urge said strap member in the other dlrection to cause cooperation between said twisted port on and inwardly extending projections and effect a rectillnear and rotational movement of said standard.

6. The combination of a receptacle support and a closure operator comprising a supporting body on which the receptacle may be placed, a closure for said receptacle, means supporting the closure operator adjacent said supporting body, said closure operator including a vertically disposed cylindrical member crimped intermediate its ends, rod means extending within said cylindrical member and arranged for movement relative thereto, said rod means comprising a twisted strap member integral therewith and arranged for cooperation with the crimped portion of said cylindrical member to impart to said closure a vertical and lateral movement, a compression spring within said cylindrical member being arranged to oppose movement of said rod means and positively seat said closure of the receptacle, and foot operated means affixed to said supporting body and operatively coupled to said compression spring for overcoming the force of said compression spring to impart to said closure said vertical and lateral movement to cause said closure to be lifted from said receptacle upon actuation of said foot operated means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Wallace 46*68 Legot et a1. 22036 Dabson 74-89 Fallis 248-147 Nystrom 248l47 Wettley 7489 Josephs 7489 Schmidt 248-147 Burgh 3 l22l4 Hill 248l47 Dunagan et al 248147 Bittle 248l49 FOREIGN PATENTS 20 CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner. 

1. THE COMBINATION OF A RECEPTACLE SUPPORT AND A CLOSURE OPERATOR COMPRISING A FRAME ARRANGED TO RECEIVE THE BASE OF THE RECEPTACLE, A PLURALITY OF LEGS CONNECTED WITH AND SUPPORTING SAID FRAME, A VERTICALLY DISPOSED CYLINDRICAL MEMBER SUPPORTED ADJACENT SAID FRAME, A CLOSURE FOR THE RECEPTACLE, A STANDARRD EXTENDING WITHIN SAID CYLINDRICAL MEMBER HAVING INWARDLY EXTENDING PROJECTIONS INTERMEDIATE ITS ENDS, MEANS FOR AFFIXING SAID CLOSURE TO ONE END OF SAID STANDARD, A STRP MEMBER INTEGRAL WITH THE OTHER END OF SAID STANDARD HAVING A TWISTED PORTION ARRANGED FOR COOPERATION WITH THE INWARDLY EXTENDING PROJECTIONS, SAID STANDARD BEING DISPOSED FOR MOVEMENNT RELATIVE TO SAID CYLINDDRICAL SUPPORT, A COMPRESSION SPRING COILED ABOUT SAID STANDARD AND ARRANGED TO BE SUPPORTED WITHIN SAID CYLINDRICAL MEMBER FOR POSITIVELY SEATING SAID CLOSURE ON THE RECEPTACLE, ROD MEANNS IEXTENDING WITHIN SAID CYLINDRICAL MEMBER FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID STRAP MEMBER, MEANS FORMING A FIXED FULCRUM BELOW SAID FRAME, ANND A TREADLE PIVOTALLY ATTACHED INTERMEDIATE ITS ENDS TO SAID FULCRUM AND HAVING ONE END CONNECTED TO SAID ROD MEANNS TO CAUSE SAID ROD MEANS TO ENGAGE SAID STRAP MEMBER AND MOVE SAID STRIAP MEMBER UPWARDLY UPON ACTUATION OF SAID TREADLE AGAINST THE FORCE OF SAID COMPRESSION SPRING TO CAUSE SAID CLOSURE TO BE LIFTED AND DISPLACED LATERALLY FROM THE RECEPTACLE. 